Week 8 :: Professional Hopes and Goals

• One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds 

I hope to really just get to know the families on a very personal level. I feel when that happens you have a deeper respect and love for them and them for you. I think all teachers and families should be closer than they are now. I am not saying become best friends with them but really bond with them and find out their day to day ways of being. What makes them happy. What are their goals as a family here in a strange or unfamiliar place?

• One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice 

I would like for the field to stop categorizing mixed race people into black or white. I would love to see a change that comes when we teach children that there is no such thing as a "black" way and a "white" way to do things. For example, there is no such ting as a "black way of speaking." This perpetuates stereotypes and focuses on the one-drop rule that is antiquated and discriminatory.

• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues:

I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read and comment on my posts in the discussion as well as here on  my blog. I know I might have rambled on a lot about how I felt about race and diversity and I know my posts were not the most popular. I appreciate that we were all able to be professionals and find something constructive and supportive to say about each others' experiences. I wish you all well in your future endeavors and I know you will be making a difference out there with the children and families you touch. That makes me feel better about the state of the field already!